Reading Introduces Emission-Based Parking Charges from February
Motorists in Reading will face a new system of on-street parking fees from Monday, February 2, with charges directly linked to their vehicle's carbon emissions. The town becomes one of the latest UK authorities to implement such measures as part of broader environmental initiatives.
How the New Parking System Works
Reading Borough Council has confirmed that both pay-and-display bays and residents' parking permits will now operate on a sliding scale based on official vehicle emission ratings. The system establishes six distinct emission bands, with the threshold for increased charges beginning at 151 grams per kilometre of CO2.
The council estimates that approximately 50% of vehicles will fall into the lowest emission category and see no change to their current parking costs. A further 25% of vehicles will enter the first band above the threshold, facing what the authority describes as "a small increase" in charges.
Environmental Motivation Behind the Changes
In an official statement posted on social media, Reading Borough Council explained: "The charges are part of the Council's drive to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in Reading for the health and wellbeing of residents."
The authority has emphasised that the primary objective is to encourage the adoption of cleaner vehicles while generating revenue to support environmental improvements across the town. Electric and hybrid vehicles will still incur parking fees under the new system, though they will benefit from reduced rates compared to more polluting models.
Emission Bands and Vehicle Categories
The newly established emission bands for parking charges are:
- 0 – 150g/km
- 151 – 170g/km
- 171 – 190g/km
- 191 – 225g/km
- 226 – 255g/km
- Over 255g/km
Only petrol and diesel vehicles emitting above 151g/km of CO2 will face price increases. The system applies to both cars and vans using on-street parking facilities, while off-street parking at residential properties remains exempt from these new charges.
Checking Your Vehicle's Emissions
Vehicle owners concerned about how their car might be categorised can easily verify their vehicle's official CO2 output. By entering their registration number on the DVLA website, drivers can access accurate emission data that will determine their parking charge band under Reading's new system.
The council's implementation follows similar schemes introduced in other UK towns and cities, reflecting a growing trend toward using parking policies as tools for environmental improvement and air quality management.
